A few phrases from this chapter made me reflect on feelings I have had as a parent. “The guilty take the truth to be hard” from verse 2 and “they did humble themselves before the Lord” in verse 5. The truth can be a hard pill to swallow when it is about us. It is easy for us to point out when we are right or the good decisions we have made, but when someone tells us something we need to work on it is too easy to get defensive and react aggressively. This can be especially true when it comes from someone close to us such as our spouse, but I think it can be even harder to hear from our children. My children vary in their views of authority, but mostly they do not hesitate to express their opinions. Often they are childish and based on a lack of understanding but sometimes they are honest and provide clarity on situations. I have had to swallow some pills of truth that have been offered by my children sometimes, but most often I will respond with an appeal to my authority, wrong as I may be. It is often not till I have cooled off a little bit until I can respond with clarity and apologize for my behavior.
Another exercise that I do not do enough is ask my children what I can do better as their father. I know I am not doing everything right, all I have to do to remind myself of that is to think of the times that I felt my own parents made mistakes. When I have asked, sometimes my kids don’t really tell me anything substantial, but I hope that the humility is there enough so that they can feel that they can offer me advice and I can listen and take it in, like Laman and Lemuel did here.
Monday, June 24, 2019
Sunday, June 23, 2019
1 Nephi 15: Finding answers
At a certain point, after you have learned how to learn, if you lack information on how to deal with a problem, it is your fault. This is especially pertinent as it applies to parenting. In 1 Nephi 15 we have 2 attitudes toward information that are telling towards the motivations of the people involved. After hearing Lehi’s dream and vision, Nephi went to the Lord and was shown a vision that confirmed what he learned and increased his understanding on the subject. Nephi lacked the resources that we have today at our disposal for information, yet, he still went to the most reliable source he had available (prayer). As Nephi returns to see what everyone else is up to he finds Laman and Lemuel “disputing one with another” because they did not ask the Lord and find information.
When we have problems as parents and spouses, what do we do? Do we sit around and argue with our uninformed opinions “disputing one with another”. I know I will often try and argue my point of view as if it has some authority, when in reality, I have no basis for knowing these things other than what I think. Wouldn’t it be much better if I had a bit of humility and tried to find the right questions first, and then sought out those answers using the best information available?
An obvious place to go for answers was also suggested by Nephi to his brothers. In verse 11 Nephi says “Do ye not remember the things which the Lord hath said?—If ye will not harden your hearts, and ask me in faith, believing that ye shall receive, with diligence in keeping my commandments, surely these things shall be made known unto you”. Heavenly Father is willing to guide you towards answers but it takes effort to find those answers. Prayer, spiritual guidance, and effort will give us the best opportunity to find answers to our parental and spousal responsibilities.
Now fast forward to today. We have access to information from the ends of the earth in the palm of our hands. But still, I often think I know what is best without consulting Heavenly Father, and without diligently searching for the best answers based on other peoples experiences, scientific research, or professional guidance. Mostly when I take this erroneous approach is it is because I am lazy. I understand that it will take a significant part of my time to find and apply these answers, and what usually happens is the problem remains, and I remain in the dark as to what to do about it.
Bottom line is, don’t be lazy, find the answers, if that is what you want, or remain in lazy ignorance without them.
When we have problems as parents and spouses, what do we do? Do we sit around and argue with our uninformed opinions “disputing one with another”. I know I will often try and argue my point of view as if it has some authority, when in reality, I have no basis for knowing these things other than what I think. Wouldn’t it be much better if I had a bit of humility and tried to find the right questions first, and then sought out those answers using the best information available?
An obvious place to go for answers was also suggested by Nephi to his brothers. In verse 11 Nephi says “Do ye not remember the things which the Lord hath said?—If ye will not harden your hearts, and ask me in faith, believing that ye shall receive, with diligence in keeping my commandments, surely these things shall be made known unto you”. Heavenly Father is willing to guide you towards answers but it takes effort to find those answers. Prayer, spiritual guidance, and effort will give us the best opportunity to find answers to our parental and spousal responsibilities.
Now fast forward to today. We have access to information from the ends of the earth in the palm of our hands. But still, I often think I know what is best without consulting Heavenly Father, and without diligently searching for the best answers based on other peoples experiences, scientific research, or professional guidance. Mostly when I take this erroneous approach is it is because I am lazy. I understand that it will take a significant part of my time to find and apply these answers, and what usually happens is the problem remains, and I remain in the dark as to what to do about it.
Bottom line is, don’t be lazy, find the answers, if that is what you want, or remain in lazy ignorance without them.
Monday, June 10, 2019
The Power and wrath of God
1 Nephi 14:14-15 What is the power of the Lamb of God?
When I think of the power of the Lamb of God, I immediately think of what the atonement has enabled me to do in my life. I have been able to repent and progress in my spirituality, I have been kinder, more loving, and understanding, and ultimately I have been a better person.
The only other time where the phrase “power of the Lamb of God” is used is in chapter 11 of 1 Nephi and it refers to the healing of Jesus Christ during his ministry. The power of the Lamb in verse 14 is given to the covenant people, which were also armed with “righteousness” and the “power of God”. I like to think the power of the Lamb of God is the enabling power of the atonement. The power to overcome weaknesses, sing, pain, and misery due to the fulfillment of their price through the atonement. I like to think that righteousness as the things we do that allow for us to be free and able to fulfill the plan of salvation. I think that includes being free from addictions, sin, and poverty. Righteousness enables us to be in a position of influence for good. A righteous person is trusted, healthy, clear-minded, and able. I think the the “power of God” in this verse refers to the priesthood. Having used the atonement and being enabled by righteousness we can carry out the will of God through his authority and power on Earth. These 3 things are interrelated and all build off of each other.
When I think of the power of the Lamb of God, I immediately think of what the atonement has enabled me to do in my life. I have been able to repent and progress in my spirituality, I have been kinder, more loving, and understanding, and ultimately I have been a better person.
The only other time where the phrase “power of the Lamb of God” is used is in chapter 11 of 1 Nephi and it refers to the healing of Jesus Christ during his ministry. The power of the Lamb in verse 14 is given to the covenant people, which were also armed with “righteousness” and the “power of God”. I like to think the power of the Lamb of God is the enabling power of the atonement. The power to overcome weaknesses, sing, pain, and misery due to the fulfillment of their price through the atonement. I like to think that righteousness as the things we do that allow for us to be free and able to fulfill the plan of salvation. I think that includes being free from addictions, sin, and poverty. Righteousness enables us to be in a position of influence for good. A righteous person is trusted, healthy, clear-minded, and able. I think the the “power of God” in this verse refers to the priesthood. Having used the atonement and being enabled by righteousness we can carry out the will of God through his authority and power on Earth. These 3 things are interrelated and all build off of each other.
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